Here's why:
* Length of a word: "Candle" is only 6 letters long, making it a short word.
* Sound of a word: The actual sound of "candle" depends on how you say it. You could say it quickly and make it sound short, or you could emphasize each syllable and make it sound longer.
So, while "candle" is a short word, the length of its sound can vary depending on how it is spoken.